Warrick Dunn and Peter Boulware Earn NFL Honors

Warrick Dunn.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Running back Warrick Dunn of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and linebacker Peter Boulware of the Baltimore Ravens are the NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Month for September, the NFL announced today. Dunn, a first-round draft pick from Florida State, leads all rookies with 312 rushing yards on 69 carries, a 4.5-yard average, and three touchdowns. He also leads in yards from scrimmage with 453. Dunn’s 141 receiving yards rank sixth among rookies and his 13 receptions are fifth. Dunn is the only rookie to rush for consecutive 100-yard games. He also added a 100-yard receiving game in Week 4 against Miami. In addition, Dunn has 119 yards on five kickoff returns and 42 yards on four punt returns. He has six plays of 25 yards or more, at least one in each week. Boulware, also a first-round pick from Florida State, had an NFL rookie-high four sacks (for 19 yards in losses) among 29 tackles – tied for second-most on the Ravens – in five September games. Boulware, who started in all five contests, also had six quarterback pressures. In the Ravens’ two division wins-against Cincinnati in Week 2 and at Tennessee in Week 4-Boulware had eight tackles, three sacks, three quarterback pressures and a blocked pass.

Peter Boulware.

Other nominees for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month were: New York Gians running back TIKI BARBER, who is tied for the rookie lead with three touchdowns and is second among NFC rookies with 215 rushing yards and 361 yards from scrimmage; Carolina wide receiver RAE CARRUTH, who is tied for the Panthers lead with 15 catches (for 208 yards and a touchdown) and has the only 100-yard receiving game by a rookie; New York Jets kicker JOHN HALL, who ranks second in the AFC with 45 points (15/15 PATs; 10/13 FGs) and leads the NFL with 16 touchbacks; and Buffalo running back ANTOWAIN SMITH, who laeds AFC rookies with 261 rushing yards and 334 yards from scrimmage, and is tied for the lead among rookies with three touchdowns.

Other nominees for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month were: New York Giants safety SAM GARNES, whose 95-yard interception return in Week 1 is the longest of the season; Dallas punter TOBY GOWIN, who leads the NFC with a 47.5-yard average and is tied for the conference lead with a 39.9 net-yard average; and Miami linebacker DERRICK RODGERS, who leads the Dolphins with two sacks and two forced fumbles, ranks second with 35 tackles and has one pass defensed.